7 THINGS I LEARNED IN MY FIRST YEAR OF BLOGGING

One year ago today, I hit 'Publish' on the very first blog post for ReinventingRaeNYC. Ever since I moved to New York, my friends had encouraged the idea of me writing a blog. They wanted to be able to hear all the stories of my new life in NYC. 

I've been working on writing a book loosely based on my real life and relationships for a few years now. So, it seemed fitting that a blog would be a good way to start posting my writing and in hopes of gaining a following. So after a few days of brainstorming with my roommates & sitting alone in my apartment for hours writing out ideas for names, ReinventingRaeNYC was created. The name is significant to me for two reasons.
1) My middle name is Rae. A name that I actually didn't really like until I was in my twenties, oddly enough. And I rarely ever went by that name until I moved to New York.
2) Reinventing came about because it is the best word to describe my experience here in New York City and the current stage in life I am in. I'm reinventing myself in so many ways, in my personal life, in my career and even in my everyday life here in New York City. 

Blogging is still something that is completely new for me. My blog is far from being perfect or even where I envision it to be. It's a constant work in progress. But everyday I learn something new about the ins and the outs of the blogging world. Which is exciting and encouraging in itself. If I could offer any advice on blogging and what it has taught me in my first year, it would be this. 

1) Creative Outlet: Blogging like most writing is a way to express yourself and share your thoughts, ideas and opinions with others. It has definitely been a creative outlet for me. There is something so fulfilling about sharing your real life stories along with your hopes & dreams and lessons learned to complete strangers. I often joke and say that blogging is kinda like free therapy. I mean we all need a creative outlet, right?  

2) Time Consuming: Full time and even part time blogging can take up a lot of your time in more ways that I ever could have imagined. It's not just about the time that it takes to write about a subject. Which for me, can take hours or sometimes even days to write depending on what I am writing about.  Not including the hours spent re-reading it and editing it. Then there are photos that have to correlate to the post, most in which I create myself using several different apps (WordSwag, Pic Collage, Canva) or photos that I've taken with my iPhone. Then once a post is ready to be published, you have to share, share, share! Sharing a blog post on social media is crucial in order to make it go out to a larger audience. Social media by far is the most time consuming aspect in my opinion. There are days that I spend just working on social media, alone.

3) Start Somewhere: You won't always know what to say. Often you will find yourself staring a blank page. For me I want to write something authentic and meaningful. I never want to just write a blog post just to get it up on my site. (Hence why there are some gaps in posts) I want my blog to be real so that other's can hopefully relate to what I'm writing about. I find that if I plan out my weekly/monthly content on paper, it helps me to stay motivated and invested in the topics I have chosen. Most importantly, if you have a day lacking in inspiration, just start writing. It will all come together and you may even surprise yourself in the outcome. 

4) Discouraging: There have been many days in which I felt discouraged in the process of blogging. Sometimes you feel like you have nothing worthy of writing about. And there will be days you ask yourself "who is really reading my blog anyways"? All of that plays a factor. Not to mention the times you pour your heart into a blog post and you literally have no comments on it or shares on social media. It can be lonely at times as a blogger, especially when working from home. Struggle is real some days. But that's why there is WINE.  

5) Non-support: This is one that I've had to learn to not take personally. The reality of blogging is that not all of your friends and family will support your blog. Many of which won't really understand it at all. The truth is that they often won't even take the time to 'Like' your Facebook page, comment on your blog posts or even read your blog at times. And that's okay. You can't expect all your friends/family to constantly keep up with your blog. But the flip side is when you have unexpected supporters and those who really take an interest in it. 

6) Build your Network: Because you can't solely depend on friends and family to share in the day to day of of your blog. Building a blogging network is crucial. I am still working on building my own network however, so far it has been a huge factor in my growth as a blogger. Surrounding yourself with other bloggers who get it can certainly empower you on days that you feel like your not progressing. And luckily with social media, this is easy to do. Connecting with other bloggers is a great way to share struggles and successes alike. I have found that participating in Facebook groups like The Blogger Life, Blogging Boost and Blogging Newbs have been a great way for me to gain knowledge, help with promoting my blog and receive advice when needed.

7) Progress NOT Perfection: The most important lesson I have learned so far, is that progress is key not perfection. I say this because I think initially with any new project, we ultimately want it to be perfect. As bloggers, we often compare our blog to other blogs and judge our blog's success based on how many followers we have vs. the followers of other bloggers. But in time you realize that it's more important to have progress overall. I still have a ways to go with my blog until I will be 100% content with it. But that's what keeps me excited about blogging on a daily basis. The strive for continuing to make progress with my writing and layout of my blog. 

They say the first year of any new endeavor is the hardest. So, I plan to take the lessons learned in my first year of blogging and use them to help me in the coming months. Reminding myself that with hustle and hard work comes success.

THANK YOU to everyone who has shared this experience by reading my blog, sharing it on social media, commenting on blog posts, been a listening ear and/or even inspired me on a subject I wrote about. YOU make this blog possible. 


XO, Rae   

Fall To-Do List

{Photo taken at Grand Lake Lodge in Colorado}

I's finally starting to cool down here in New York City after being hot and humid the past few days. I can't wait to finally sip on a PSL and wear my favorite sweater and ankle boots. I also have some other things I am looking forward to doing this fall. Here is a look at my to-do list. 



1. Capture the perfect photo and create a Holiday Card to send to friends and family. I am thinking about ordering through SimplyToImpress.


2. Make a trip to Bath & Body Works to pick up some of my favorite scented candles.


3. Plan a day trip to a winery. This one has a tasting room in a renovated barn. 


4. Find some decor ideas for the table when hosting "FRIENDSGIVING" this year. I think this would be fun and easy. Love these purple ideas.


5. Enjoy the best of things to do in New York during Autumn. Of course this includes seeing the fall foliage in Central Park.


6. Find the perfect pair of snow boots. I want stylish but functional. So far, I like these the most. 


7. Visit the New York Botanical Garden to see the FRIDA KAHLO exhibit. 


8. Bake up some new recipes. This one looks yummy!


9. See the Broadway Show WICKED. 


10. Go to the iconic Village Halloween Parade. 






XO, Rae

Comfortable In My Own Skin

I have always had body issues ever since I can remember. I have never been skinny even as an adult. My weight has always fluctuated partially to bad habits, not enough exercise and skipping meals. I've never wanted to be super skinny, maybe just a thinner version of myself. It wasn't until I turned 27, that I really started to embrace my body. And for once I began to feel comfortable in my own skin. I don't remember what the pivotal moment was. I just remember I stopped being so hard on myself about trying to be a certain size or achieve a certain weight. For so long I had fought with my self confidence and only saw myself as how I compared to others. 

Even at the age of 32, I still fluctuate with my weight and I will probably always be nagging over those 20lbs. But I don't let myself get down about it. I just work a little harder and eat smarter if I don't like what I see in the mirror. I will never be skinny by any means. Personally, I just don't want to be that way. I like having curves, boobs and a booty. I ultimately just want to be healthy. I don't want to be defined by a number but rather how I feel in my own skin.

It's refreshing to see more and more women embracing their bodies and for women of all sizes being accepted more now than ever. Amy Schumer is known as being the funny girl. But she is serious when it comes to owning her body weight and telling everyone just what she thinks if they have a problem with it. I mean for a plus size model like Ashley Graham to walk in New York Fashion Week. That is a game changer in the fashion industry. It opens up so many people to have a different outlook on what is to be considered a "normal body" in today's society. And it also shows that women can be beautiful at any size. I've always admired Christina Aguilera and her stance on body image. She makes no apologies and owns her flaws. I think that is inspiring for us as women to see celebrities be just like us and struggle with the same issues we have.  

You are NOT your weight. You are beautiful no matter what size you are.  And only once you truly begin to realize that will you learn to love yourself even more. Don't let society, family, friends or even your own insecurities dictate how you perceive yourself. Be happy. Be healthy. And love your body, flaws and all!





XO, Rae

It's Not Me, It's You

Mandy Hale, otherwise known as The Single Women posted this quote the other day on her FB page. (Go follow her, seriously) It was just too good not to share. My last serious relationship was one that took me awhile to get over. The love was always there between us but unfortunately he wasn't always there. I wanted to hold on so bad that I ultimately lost myself in the process. I'm sure some of you can relate to having that one relationship that you wish you could go back and tell yourself to run! Although the relationship has been over for some time now, when I read this quote it resonated with me. I mean this isn't a new concept but, something about seeing the words and reading it out loud hit me hard. I can remember trying to justify why he did what he did in our relationship. Why he stepped out. Why he made me feel like it was me. Why he couldn't commit. And there I would be trying to make it all sound less shitty by pointing out all of my imperfections in the relationship and taking some of the blame. When here is the simple truth. He couldn't offer me what I deserved in a relationship. We tried so many times to put the pieces back together that I lost count. And even though I have moved on, I wish I would have realized sooner that I wasn't asking for too much in our relationship. It's sad that we can allow someone to make us feel as if we are asking for too much so we start to settle for what they can actually offer us and make excuses for the rest. I know deep down I always knew he wouldn't be the one to give me what I needed or deserved, but sometimes it helps to see it in bold letters. We are all worthy of having the right person who can give us everything we deserve and more without feeling as if we are asking for too much. I'm not giving up and neither should you. 

XO, Rae

3 Apps You Need In Your Life!

Life is busy and sometimes we need the help of life's simple pleasures also known as apps from the app store. It is often necessary  to save time in our hectic day and stay productive on the go. So here are 3 apps that I can't live without and neither should YOU. 



1. EVER NOTE- You can use this app for so many things. Create notes and checklists on the go, store snap shots of business cards, save articles to read later and you can access everything from multiple devices. I can quickly make my 'to do' list for the day, a grocery list and set reminders for my day. If your looking for a way to stay organized, you need this app. I can't get through my day without it!


2. INK- I LOVE this app because I can easily send personalized greeting cards to friends and family straight from my phone. I seriously use it all the time! The app offers a ton of options for different types of cards and you can even upload photos from your phone to be added. And the best part is that it only cost $1.99. Cheaper than a store bought card and it usually ships within 3-5 business days. I promise you will love it too!


3. NYC Way- If you live in New York or if you're planning to visit the City, you will definitely want to get this app! This app is like having multiple apps all in one. It includes everything from nearby places with Wi-Fi, events in the city, Subway maps, Yoga studios, Broadway Shows and even has the lighting schedule for the Empire State Building. This app has been a great way for me to get more familiar with New York City and is my go-to when friends & family visit from out of town.



DOWNLOAD these apps and get on with your busy day! 



XO, Rae

NYC Living: Dinner at PRUNE

New York is a food city, no doubt. With so many restaurants, it is often hard to choose, but there are some that are like none other. Living with a foodie, my best friend has been dying to go to PRUNE. On Sunday, we finally had the experience of dinning at PRUNE for dinner. Located in the East Village, this popular restaurant is known for it's amazing Chef Gabrielle Hamilton. She is also an author of a New York Times Best Seller book called 'Blood, Bones and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef'. We were lucky enough to have the first seating for dinner at 5:30pm. When we arrived I was able to capture a rare moment of the restaurant completely empty. There is often a line outside to get in especially for brunch. Although the restaurant is small in size, the experience is anything but. And to make the night even more complete, we spotted Chef Gabrielle Hamilton walking by the restaurant with boxes in tote. Below are some of the amazing dishes we devoured during our meal. Cocktails were amazing as well. Can't wait to visit again soon for brunch. I definitely recommend PRUNE if your willing to spend a bit on delicious good quality food. 

Featured Appetizer: Fried Oysters with house tarter sauce

Halibut with cherry tomatoes in a spicy tomato broth

Grilled Broccoli, chili butter, pecorino 

Charred Beef Ribs with anchovy butter

'Straw and Hay' Pasta with green tomato-chicken liver sauce

Dessert: Summer Pudding

GO EAT!

XO, Rae

New Beginnings

Today is the start of a new month and a new season is right around the corner. It seems like the perfect time for new beginnings. I have been embarking on a new journey since moving to New York almost a year ago. And now that I am currently changing careers, I find myself embarking on yet another new beginning. But that's the beauty in life, you can decide how and when you want your new beginning to be. I know often it is not easy to make a life change no matter what it is. As women, we struggle to find the balance in life and also make time for ourselves. We often think "why can't I have my dream life"? Well the truth is, you can. You can choose at anytime to be who you want to be. You can seek out that new job or follow your dreams and be your own boss. You can loose that 20 lbs. you've been frustrated over.  And you can let go of that relationship that has been holding you back. All of these things are possible. You just have to decide that you want it bad enough. I know, it's not as easy as it sounds. I struggle with this myself and often have to remind myself to not look back but to look forward. There are moments I want to give up because it seems impossible. Every day is not perfect and there are still days I question everything. But I know that in the end I will regret it if I don't at least try. So with a new month ahead, I am reminded of all the possibilities. And continue to set new goals to keep myself motivated. Give yourself the chance to prove to yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to. YOU CAN DO IT! 



XO, Rae

Your Job Shouldn't Define Who You Are

Lately, I dread the question "what do you do?"  It's often the first thing asked when meeting new people. It's only natural to ask someone in effort to get to know them, but it often comes with a reaction based on the answer given. I have never had hesitation in answering to others what my career is until now. I have always had a job and position in which I was excited to share and tell about. But now that I am not working, this question has made me almost cringe when asked. I have yet to quite figure out how to answer this question. 

Not because I am embarrassed but because I want people to know more about me and not just how I pay my bills. It's not like I want to just say well, I quit my high paying job to stay home, write about my life and sketch handbags. Doesn't sound so appealing, right? And honestly most people may not understand it. Especially new people that come into my life. I'm pretty sure my parents and friends are still trying to wrap their minds around it. I feel like no matter how I answer the question, it sounds the same. And my career prior to now almost feels discredited because new people in my life don't know my prior accomplishments.

Let's be honest, when you find out someone isn't working, usually the reaction is negative or envious. You might even make a comment like "oh, must be nice." I'm sure I have been guilty of this myself. Regardless of the reason why, not having a defined job can have a negative connotation. Often we judge others based on what they do for a living. Especially living in New York, career is everything. You walk among movers and shakers on the streets everyday. Most people move here only to take their career to the next level. Don't get me wrong. I have zero regrets about quitting my job. Your job should be what you do, not who you are. For once in my life, I'm not known as "girl who works to much". My job was my life. I barely allowed for anything else to take place because I was always putting work first. And most of the time I wasn't happy.

There is more to me than what I do what for a living. I am a creative, ambitious, loyal to a fault girl who will always want the most out of life. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared of failure but I want to know that I at least tried. I am constantly evolving and growing into the person I want to become. Who I am today is not who I was ten years ago or even 10 months ago for that matter. I hope to add 'Successful Entrepreneur' to my next resume!



XO, Rae

Girls Night Out Playlist

HELLO FRIDAY! 

When I lived in Atlanta, I listened to Q100's The Bert Show in the mornings. The cast of the show would often come up with different playlists for all sorts of occasions. I thought it would be fun to create a playlist of my own in honor of GNO. After a long week, you deserve a night out with the Girls! And since it is FRIDAY and all, seems only fitting to commence a Girls Night. SO CALL YOUR GIRLS, DOWNLOAD THE PLAYLIST AND HIT THE TOWN!

Katy Perry "This Is How We Do"......This is the song that gets you amped up and sets the mood for the night. 


Jessie J "Burnin' Up"......You pour yourself a cocktail.

Beyoncé "Freakum Dress"......You head over to your closet and pick out your outfit for the night.

Justin Timberlake "Damn Girl"......You start getting dressed and feeling a slight buzz. 

Nicki Minaj "The Night Is Still Young".....Your girls are arriving and a dance party ensues in the living room. 

Beyoncé "7/11"......You're  dressed, your girls have arrived and makeup & hair are on fleek.

Taylor Swift "Shake It Off"...... Now everyone has a drink poured, you take some group photos and of course a selfie. This last song plays as you get ready to head out for the night and shake off the week! 

And there you have it, my playlist for Girls Night Out! 


Have a favorite song that gets you amped up for GNO? Comment below. 



CHEERS!



XO, Rae

Check out the Bert Show Facebook page.

Never Too Late to Choose a New Career

I came across an article on Facebook today shared by the page of What Not to Wear and had to share!

The article was published by MyDomaine.

         



I can completely relate to this article. At the age of 32, I am now seeking a new career after being in the medical field for most of my adult life. I loved being in medical and managing but I  have always felt like there is more out there for me. Being creative in any sense is where my passion lies. Creating my blog has helped me to get that creativity back in my life. I love event planning and have a new passion for designing handbags. Who doesn't love a good handbag?! Ambitious, I know. Life is short and I want to be able to wake up every day and truly be excited about what I do. It shouldn't feel like work so much as it should feel like fulfilling your dreams. I had no idea that these very successful women started their careers later in life. It's inspiring to say the least. If you are also contemplating a new career, I encourage you to read this article. Your thirties are just the beginning.



XO, Rae 

Last Days of SUMMER

HAPPY SATURDAY! I can't believe Summer is almost over! Feels like it went by so fast. I am definitely enjoying my first Summer here in New York City. And I'm so happy that I have had the time off to actually enjoy it. There is so much to do in this City, it amazes me! I will be sharing MY favorites of Summer things to do in NYC, soon!

I recently spent the day in Long Island at Jones Beach with some friends and went fishing off the piers. I haven't been fishing in years! It was so relaxing and just a fun day out on the water. Sometimes escaping the city for even just a day is nice. We all need a break from the hustle here every once in awhile. Can't wait to share the rest of my Summer adventures with you! Stayed tuned for more up on the blog! 

Enjoy your weekend! GO SOAK up the rest of those SUMMER Days! :) 

XO, Rae

Topics Women Hide From

As women there are subjects that we tend to avoid being honest about. And sometimes try to avoid all together. Maybe it's for fear of being judged or looked at differently. I think it's often not until someone else is honest about their feelings that we then can admit we feel the same way. Why are we so afraid of being honest with our selves and even more so with each other?

Getting pregnant is one of life's little miracles. Many women base their whole entire life on when they will become a mother. And when it does, they are overwhelmed with joy. Well maybe not for some women. Some women although very much wanting to carry a child do not feel it is the best experience. Not all women actually like being pregnant. Yes, there I said it. I have not been pregnant myself but I have watched several friends go through two completely different experiences when it comes to pregnancy. And it's difficult to see the friends who did not have the greatest experience being pregnant feel shameful for feeling that way. Why can't a woman say that she dreads the part of gaining weight, feels like her body is disowning her, never had anything close to a "glow", admits to drinking more than the recommended coffee amounts, desperately wants to drink a glass of wine and has no urge to breastfeed period. Why is it so frowned upon for a women to speak her truth? You don't hear women who have great pregnancies shy away from telling everyone....and I mean everyone! But the moment a pregnant women even starts to say something that sounds like a negative remark about pregnancy, you can just see the looks of other women judging her. 

Getting married is something you dream about ever since you were a little girl. You grow up playing house and even marry off your Barbie and Ken dolls. Then as you get older, you date different guys and endure one too many heartbreaks. You see relationships for what they sometimes really are. Temporary spaces in your life that you can't control. You begin to realize that maybe marriage is not what you want or believe in anymore. But your afraid to even say it out loud much less tell your closest friends and definetly not your mother. After all they are all married or engaged and would probably tell you that your just going through a phase. Or tell you that you've just dated the wrong guys and not to worry your future husband is out there somewhere. But you know deep down if marriage wasn't in the cards for you, you would probably be just fine. But again we feel this guilt for being brutally honest. And for fear of downplaying our friends marriages and relationships, we simply agree that it's just a phase and your probably just being a little bitter. 

Hold your head high and never let them see you sweat. We are trained since an early age to have our life plan mapped out. College, career, marriage and kids. But what about plan B?  Or even better yet, plan C? Did anyone ever tell you what happens when plan A doesn't fall into place? I didn't think so. So why is that? It's almost as if plan A doesn't go accordingly, than somehow we must have failed in our life. And even worse we would have to admit that we failed if we tried to discuss it with someone else. Not everyone fits into plan A and that's okay. Life is often better lived off script. So what, you didn't go to college or even finish. And maybe your in your thirties just now figuring out what you want to do for your career. And maybe being single is your plan for now so you can travel first before getting married and having kids. What's so wrong with that plan? Your life doesn't have to be like everyone else's or even in the same order. But we fear to admit to each other that we like our plan better and that life sometimes tastes better against the grain. 

You should never apologize for how you feel, who you are as a person or where you stand on certain topics. So often we seek approval from others. But being honest in how you feel may likely make others feel relieved. We also seek other women who are just like us. It's much more comforting and inspiring when you have those who are closest to you share in your same feelings. So next time your faced with these topics, be true to YOU. Make no excuses and remember, you may not be alone. 

XO, Rae

Self Check!

Sometimes you just have to look in the mirror, pull yourself together, tell yourself to stop being fearful of the unknown and remind yourself that you are capable of amazing things! LITERALLY had to have that conversation with myself today.

Since I recently resigned from my job and am currently taking a hiatus from the 9-5 world, lately I have been feeling displaced. I'm a planner by nature and I thrive on working and feeling accomplished. So now that I am venturing out to do my own projects. The days are less organized and I have been feeling less accomplished. Fear is also partly to be blamed. It's the fear of not knowing what lies ahead. And I know there will be many hiccups along the way. That's part of the risk of the journey.  But hey everyone has to start from somewhere and I'm pretty sure I'm not the first to have these feelings. For so long I have been so focused on my career that I forgot to focus on what makes me truly happy. I hope to accomplish much success with this blog and my handbag designs one day. Giving life to these two things is what gets me excited everyday. So I plan to do everything I can to make it a reality for myself. Sometimes in life you have to push yourself harder. Nothing worth having comes easy. 

XO, Rae

Personal Growth

Living in New York has made me realize a few things about myself. I am way more comfortable outside of my comfort zone than I have ever been before. New York exposes you to so much more in every day life. You are constantly surrounded by people. It's true, your personal space is completely invaded most of the time. From crowded streets, subway stations and even grocery stores.  But the great thing is that you have a lot more chances in meeting some amazing people. Everyday is like a new experience filled with new opportunities.

I have also learned to embrace change head on. Change used to be something that made me feel anxious and I often avoided it. I had a lot of change in my childhood and I think that made me fearful of change in my adult life. (I'll go into more of that later) I have settled into the City and adapted to my new life pretty well in the past 8 months. Moving in general can be overwhelming but moving to New York adds a whole new level. Smaller space, roommates, no car, public transportation, longer work hours....the list goes on! All of which now seem "normal" to me. I love living here in the City and for once I welcome the change that comes with it.

Fear of failure is also something I am learning to let go of. I no longer want to say "What If?" I want to live the life I imagine for myself and put my fears aside. It can be scary to chase dreams but having regrets are scarier. I would rather say that I tried and failed than have never tried at all. I'm learning that the journey is more important than the end result. I've created this Blog to document my journey in NYC and in hopes that women can relate to the honesty of embracing your thirties. In addition I am writing a book based on relationships, friendships and lessons learned. My goal is to one day publish my book. 

I guess you can say New York has changed me. Or maybe it's that I've allowed myself to be more open to this experience. Either way, I'm grateful for the growth.


XO, Rae

Chasing Dreams

Let's back up to about 8 months ago...

When I left Atlanta and moved to NY....I had just resigned from my job of 8 1/2 years.  I worked in medical as a manager for a large private practice. This was my career. I had worked hard over the years and loved what I did. I like making a difference and being there for people. 

I've always thought being a manager can have its challenges but it also has its rewards. There are days you question everything and days you feel like you've conquered it all. 

I took a chance moving here without a job. I wanted to move first, get adjusted to the City and then seek out a job. I saved up money so I knew I would be okay for awhile until I found something. After 3 weeks of living here, I was getting restless staying at home and was eager to get back to work. But of course I had fears. What if I couldn't land a job in NY? What if I wasn't good enough for the same type position?  What if? 

These doubts were running thru my mind but I knew I had to put myself out there first to see what I was up against.

To my surprise, once I started putting my resume out there, I got some very encouraging feedback. Within a 2 week period I was hired and starting my new job right before thanksgiving. The company was similar to the one I had worked for in Atlanta. The position was a step up from my previous job and was going to be more challenging. This excited me! I was ready for something new. I was ecstatic to have landed such a huge position with this company. I didn't think I would be so lucky so soon. After all, I moved to New York for bigger & better. (So cliche, I know) but it was true. 

I've been with the company for a little over 6 months now. I feel like I've given it my best. I recently resigned. Although I love the company, I've come to find that it's just not the right fit for me. For those who know me, knows this decision does not come easy. I have never quit a job like this. I pride myself on my work. Hell work consumes my life most of the time. I'm working on this! 

But what I have come to realize, is happiness out weighs everything else in life. As I finish up my last week of work, I am unsure of my next move for the first time in my life. And I'm strangely calm about the situation. I feel that I have learned a lot about myself these past few months since moving to New York. I'm not afraid of change anymore. I've already been pushed outside my comfort level and have done great so far. I have dreams of finishing a book I'm writing, continuing this blog and one day designing my own handbags. And who knows what else will come my way! 

As they say in life, sometimes you have to close one door before another one opens. I'm hoping this is true. I feel inspired again to create the life I want. 

No one ever said chasing dreams would be easy but they did promise it would be worth it! 

XO, Rae

Welcome!

Hi, My name is Dana Rae, I am 32 years old and I recently moved to New York City. I'll explain more later on how I got here...Blogging is new for me but what I hope to accomplish is a blog full of real life stories, inspiration for women, favorites and all things New York. 
So Ladies, grab a glass of wine & let's get started!